The H1N1-09 (Swine Flu) Is....

H1N1 is a virus strain that’s been going around since 1977. But referring to the latest strain (commonly called the Swine Flu) as H1N1 is a misnomer. The actual name is H1N1-09 and it differs from all other versions in the way it was formed. 

According to University of Maryland researchers, the virus formed when avian, swine, and human-like viruses somehow combined in a pig to create a new virus assigned the moniker H1N1-09. Through natural mutation, H1N1-09 spread through pigs’ respiratory droplets to infect humans. Once humans began carrying the virus, it

Out of those catching the flu in Australia, 80% tested positive for the H1N1-09 strain, suggesting this particular H1N1 overpowers all others.

was only a matter of time before careless carriers began spreading it from human to human through sneezing and coughing. 

Initially, many were concerned H1N1-09 would continue mutating into some kind of  an unknown monster capable of devastating one country after another. But this fear was dispelled after researchers at the University of Maryland deliberately co-infected ferrets to examine that very possibility. What they discovered was one of those “good news – bad news” things. The “good news” was that it appeared no further mutations seem to have occurred. The “bad news” was they discovered the ferrets exhibited symptoms worse than what they had from the “ordinary” flu and more importantly, they discovered that the H1N1-09 spread easily to their uninfected neighbors. In other words, the H1N1-09 was so powerful, it apparently overcame other viruses. 

Although the University of Maryland experiment showed the H1N1-09 has become the dominant strain of influenza, it doesn’t explain its underpinnings. That is, how does the H1N1-09 overpower “ordinary” viruses and become dominant? That question remains unanswered. For more information on the aggressive nature of the H1N1-09, click HERE

To get an idea how the H1N1-09 may impact their populations, many countries – including the U.S. - monitored the influenza situation occurring over the Southern Hemisphere’s recent winter.

What was found was startling. Out of those catching the flu in Australia, 80% tested positive for the H1N1-09 strain. While the H1N1-09 was no more deadly than seasonal flu (which claims roughly 36,000 lives each year in the United States alone), the demographics of those catching it in Australia differed from the “ordinary flu” in that children and young adults were the most likely the victims. And in those groups, deaths resulting from the H1N1-09 appear to have been confined mostly to those in the 20-50 age range. Speculation suggest those over 50 may have developed an immunity through the regular H1N1 flu shots they’ve been receiving as far back as 1977.

As researchers, we believe the use of ionic air purifiers help reduce the risk of spreading this (and any other air borne disease) throughout your living and/or working spaces. To review our recommendations, click HERE

Regardless of what happens elsewhere, what happens here at home is what “The Research Center” will continue to focus on most. Please check back often for any late breaking news along with our analysis of this seemingly volatile situation!

To understand the symptoms of H1N1-09 and how they differ from the common cold, click HERE

To review some common sense precautions you can take against the H1N1-09, click HERE

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